[acappella] Ring! Bells Ring! : a new setting for SATB (Day 42 : 365 Days of Christmas Project)
I found this delightful carol text when I was working on my children’s Christmas songbook, “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem,” back in 2004. Once again, I’ve been meaning to revoice it SATB for years; my 365 Days of Christmas Project gave me the impetus to finally get it done.
In this version, the voices imitate the sound of the bells, a la “Ring Christmas Bells" (aka “Carol of the Bells"), while the bass sings the words of the tune. This has a completely different feel, but you get the idea. I love the text; it is somewhat ambiguous and leaves me wondering if it is talking about Old Father Christmas or the Christ Child . . . it could go either way.
I hope you enjoy this carol as much as I do!
Words by F. A. Kreummacher:
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!
Winter .winds are blowing;
Cold the night and snowing;
Children, come and greet me;
Open, I entreat ye!
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!
Joyful carols sing ye,
See the gifts I bring ye,
For each boy and maiden
Richly I am laden.
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!
See the candles glowing;
Hearts their love are showing!
List to what I’m. telling,
There I’ll make my dwelling.
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!
translator anonymous
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